County Durham Archaeological Assessment Project Through ALSF

About the Project

The County Durham Archaeological Assessment Project has assessed the archaeology of County Durham with particular attention given to areas of aggregate reserves. The project was funded by an ASLF grant delivered through English Heritage. The Aggregates Levy was introduced by the Finance Act 2001 and came into force on 1 April 2002. The levy is a tax on the extraction of aggregates, such as sand, stone and gravel, which is intended to reduce the damage to the historic and natural environment from extracting Aggregates, and is regulated by English Heritage and Natural England. The County Durham Archaeological Assessment Project provides a landscape-scale assessment of the archaeology associated with areas of past, present and future aggregate extraction within the county. Durham County Council (DCC) and Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS) managed the project in partnership with English Heritage.

Purpose of the Project

The history, character and economy of the county has been heavily influenced by the range of mineral resources it possesses, some of which are of regional or national importance. Although the county is subject to substantial quarrying activity, there is currently no specific guidance or detailed mapped information for the archaeological resource associated with areas of aggregate. Ongoing, planned and potential aggregate extraction in the County presents, therefore, potential threat to the archaeological and palaeoenvironmental record developed on, and potentially buried beneath or within, sand and gravel and limestone deposits. This project has therefore been commissioned to characterise, digitally map, and analyse the aggregate and archaeological resource with a detailed study area comprising 42,500ha, approximately one fifth of the area of the county, approximately one fifth of the area of the county.

The following is a location plan for the County Durham Archaeological Assessment project area, please click on the thumbnail below to see an enlarged version.

Project Aims

The project will enhance the existing Historic Environment Record for the county, inform minerals planning, and assist with the development of historic environment management and guidance. Other aims include:

• To identify the spatial extent of aggregate deposits in County Durham
• To identify potential archaeological remains through a detailed desk-based exercise that will include analysing and transcribing data from aerial photographs for the most sensitive areas of aggregate resource (the Magnesian Limestone escarpment)
• To document the chronology and pattern of past human activity in areas of aggregate based on the information gathered by the project
• To develop an archaeological resource management and guidance framework for areas of aggregate in County Durham
• To enhance public access to, and appreciation of, the archaeological remains and
• landscapes of the aggregate areas of County Durham, together with encouragement of wider academic interest.

Method

The project will characterise, digitally map and then analyse the aggregate areas and their associated archaeological remains. The work aims to inform existing Minerals Development Frameworks and archaeological research agendas, while providing a basis for future work. A detailed archaeological survey focused around transcription of cropmarks, parchmarks and upstanding structures from aerial photographs is a key part of the project, and has been carried out by English Heritage NMPstandards.

The assessment will map the archaeological sites and monuments from existing aerial photographs and include extensive desk-based documentary research and analysis all aided by the latest GIS technology. The study area is situated at the western edge of the East Durham Limestone Plateau, one of six County Character Areas defined by the Durham County Council Landscape Character Assessment. To its western edge, is a pronounced, irregular ridge known as the Magnesian Limestone Escarpment which dominates the surrounding area.

East of the escarpment, the spur and vale topography which is most evident at its northern end, gives way to lower ground overlain by thick glacial drifts with the limestone rarely exposed at the surface. The study area takes in both the escarpment itself and this area, referred to by the Durham County Council Landscape Character Assessment as the Clay Plateau, to its east. For this reason, where general discussion of the limestone of the study area is given and specific distinction between Limestone Escarpment and Clay Plateau is not intended, the generic term East Durham Plateau has been used.

Results

The mapped archaeology, in the context of past, present and future aggregate areas and regional geology will be presented in GIS format for use by the Archaeology Section and planners at Durham County Council and external project stakeholders including researchers, consultants and developers. The results will contribute substantially to our knowledge of the region’s past. From the aerial survey mapping site a total of 528 new sites have been identified. These range from military markings to possible Roman or Iron Enclosures. Use the links below to find out more about some of these new sites.

The document below is an article which describes more about the landscape of County Durham and about the Assessment project.

Landscape of County Durham.pdf (11 pages, 1230kb)

Links

Prehistoric
Roman
Medieval
Post medieval and Twentieth Century
Archaeology Projects
Introduction to the Archaeology Section

For more information about the project contact:

The Archaeology Section
Adult and Community Services
Culture and Leisure
Rivergreen Centre
Durham
DH1 5TS
Tel: 0191 3708712
Fax: 0191 3708897

Email: Archaeology